1. Which Act is considered the first step taken by the British Parliament to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India?
A) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B) Regulating Act, 1773
C) Charter Act, 1813
D) Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: B
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first British Parliamentary measure to control Company affairs. It established the post of Governor-General of Bengal and a Supreme Court at Calcutta.
2. Who became the first Governor-General of Bengal?
A) Lord Cornwallis
B) Lord Wellesley
C) Lord Warren Hastings
D) Lord Dalhousie
Answer: C
Explanation: Warren Hastings was appointed the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act of 1773.
3. Which Act established the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774?
A) Regulating Act, 1773
B) Amending Act, 1781
C) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D) Charter Act, 1833
Answer: A
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 set up the Supreme Court at Calcutta, consisting of a Chief Justice and three Judges.
4. The Amending Act of 1781 is also known as:
A) Act of Settlement
B) Act of Crown
C) Dyarchy Act
D) Decentralisation Act
Answer: A
Explanation: The Amending Act of 1781 (Act of Settlement) clarified the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and exempted Governor-General and Company servants for official acts.
5. The system of double government in India was established by:
A) Regulating Act, 1773
B) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
C) Charter Act, 1813
D) Charter Act, 1833
Answer: B
Explanation: Pitt’s India Act, 1784 created the Board of Control for political affairs and Court of Directors for commercial matters.
6. Lord Cornwallis was given special powers by which Act?
A) Act of 1786
B) Charter Act, 1793
C) Charter Act, 1833
D) Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: A
Explanation: Act of 1786 allowed Cornwallis to override Council decisions and also serve as Commander-in-Chief.
7. The Charter Act of 1793 extended the Company’s trade monopoly for:
A) 10 years
B) 15 years
C) 20 years
D) 25 years
Answer: C
Explanation: Charter Act, 1793 extended Company’s trade monopoly for another 20 years.
8. The Charter Act of 1813 abolished Company’s trade monopoly in:
A) Tea and China trade
B) Indian trade (except tea and China)
C) All overseas trade
D) Indian Ocean trade
Answer: B
Explanation: The Act ended Company monopoly in Indian trade, but tea and China trade remained under Company control.
9. The Charter Act of 1813 also allowed:
A) Missionaries to enter India
B) Governor-General to override provincial Governors
C) Secretary of State to be appointed
D) Federalism in provinces
Answer: A
Explanation: The 1813 Act allowed Christian missionaries and authorised spread of western education in India.
10. The Governor-General of India was created under:
A) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B) Charter Act, 1833
C) Charter Act, 1853
D) Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: B
Explanation: Charter Act, 1833 made the Governor-General of Bengal → Governor-General of India. Lord William Bentinck became the first.
11. Which Act ended the Company’s commercial role completely?
A) Charter Act, 1813
B) Charter Act, 1833
C) Charter Act, 1853
D) Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: B
Explanation: The 1833 Act made Company purely administrative, ending its commercial functions.
12. Who introduced the idea of open competition for civil services?
A) Charter Act, 1833
B) Charter Act, 1853
C) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D) Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: A
Explanation: Charter Act of 1833 suggested open competition, but it wasn’t implemented due to opposition.
13. The Charter Act of 1853 separated:
A) Executive and Legislative functions
B) Judiciary and Executive
C) Provincial and Central powers
D) Trade and Politics
Answer: A
Explanation: For the first time, the Governor-General’s Council was divided into Executive and Legislative functions.
14. The Indian Civil Service was opened to Indians under:
A) Regulating Act, 1773
B) Charter Act, 1833
C) Charter Act, 1853
D) Indian Councils Act, 1892
Answer: C
Explanation: The Charter Act, 1853 introduced open competition for civil services, leading to Macaulay Committee (1854).
15. The revolt of 1857 directly led to:
A) Abolition of Company’s rule
B) Federalism in India
C) Introduction of Dyarchy
D) Bicameral legislature
Answer: A
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858 ended Company rule and transferred power to the Crown.
16. The office of Secretary of State for India was created by:
A) Government of India Act, 1858
B) Indian Councils Act, 1861
C) Charter Act, 1833
D) Charter Act, 1853
Answer: A
Explanation: Government of India Act, 1858 created Secretary of State for India, a member of British Cabinet.
17. Who became the first Viceroy of India?
A) Lord Dalhousie
B) Lord Canning
C) Lord Curzon
D) Lord Mountbatten
Answer: B
Explanation: After 1858 Act, Governor-General was redesignated as Viceroy. Lord Canning became the first.
18. Indians were first associated with law-making under:
A) Indian Councils Act, 1861
B) Indian Councils Act, 1892
C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
D) Charter Act, 1853
Answer: A
Explanation: The 1861 Act nominated Indians like Raja of Benaras into legislative councils.
19. Which Act initiated decentralisation in British India?
A) Indian Councils Act, 1861
B) Indian Councils Act, 1892
C) Government of India Act, 1919
D) Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: A
Explanation: 1861 restored legislative powers to Bombay and Madras, reversing centralisation.
20. Which system introduced by Lord Canning in 1859 was formally recognised in 1861?
A) Dyarchy
B) Portfolio system
C) Double government
D) Bicameralism
Answer: B
Explanation: The Portfolio system divided responsibilities among council members.
21. Which Act gave councils the power to discuss budget?
A) Indian Councils Act, 1892
B) Indian Councils Act, 1861
C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
D) Government of India Act, 1919
Answer: A
Explanation: Indian Councils Act, 1892 expanded legislative powers, allowing budget discussion.
22. Which Act first introduced indirect elections in India?
A) Indian Councils Act, 1892
B) Indian Councils Act, 1861
C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
D) Charter Act, 1833
Answer: A
Explanation: The 1892 Act introduced nomination on recommendation (proto-election).
23. The Morley-Minto Reforms are related to:
A) Indian Councils Act, 1909
B) Government of India Act, 1919
C) Government of India Act, 1935
D) Charter Act, 1853
Answer: A
Explanation: Indian Councils Act, 1909 is also known as Morley-Minto Reforms.
24. Who was the first Indian to join Viceroy’s Executive Council?
A) Satyendra Prasad Sinha
B) B.R. Ambedkar
C) Dadabhai Naoroji
D) M.G. Ranade
Answer: A
Explanation: In 1909, S.P. Sinha became Law Member in Viceroy’s Executive Council.
25. The Indian Councils Act of 1909 introduced:
A) Separate electorates for Muslims
B) Direct election for all Indians
C) Full provincial autonomy
D) Dyarchy
Answer: A
Explanation: The 1909 Act introduced communal representation (separate electorates for Muslims).
26. Which Act introduced Dyarchy in provinces?
A) Indian Councils Act, 1909
B) Government of India Act, 1919
C) Government of India Act, 1935
D) Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: B
Explanation: Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dual rule (Dyarchy) in provinces.
27. Who were Montagu and Chelmsford?
A) Prime Minister and Viceroy
B) Secretary of State and Viceroy
C) Governor-General and Governor
D) Viceroy and Indian leader
Answer: B
Explanation: Montagu (Secretary of State) and Chelmsford (Viceroy) gave 1919 Reforms.
28. Which Act introduced bicameralism at the Centre?
A) Government of India Act, 1919
B) Government of India Act, 1935
C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
D) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Answer: A
Explanation: 1919 Act created Upper House (Council of State) and Lower House (Legislative Assembly).
29. Which Act extended communal representation to Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans?
A) Indian Councils Act, 1909
B) Government of India Act, 1919
C) Government of India Act, 1935
D) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Answer: B
Explanation: The 1919 Act extended separate electorates beyond Muslims.
30. The Simon Commission was appointed under provisions of which Act?
A) 1909 Act
B) 1919 Act
C) 1935 Act
D) 1858 Act
Answer: B
Explanation: 1919 Act provided for statutory commission after 10 years → Simon Commission (1927).
31. Which award extended separate electorates to depressed classes?
A) Communal Award, 1932
B) Poona Pact, 1932
C) Lucknow Pact, 1916
D) Cripps Proposal, 1942
Answer: A
Explanation: Ramsay MacDonald’s Communal Award (1932) extended separate electorates to SCs.
32. The Poona Pact of 1932 was signed between:
A) Gandhiji and Ambedkar
B) Gandhiji and Nehru
C) Ambedkar and Jinnah
D) Nehru and Patel
Answer: A
Explanation: Gandhi (in jail, fasting) and Ambedkar signed Poona Pact, providing joint electorate with reserved seats for SCs.
33. Which Act is called the “Constitution of India Act” before 1950?
A) Government of India Act, 1858
B) Government of India Act, 1919
C) Government of India Act, 1935
D) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Answer: C
Explanation: The 1935 Act was the most comprehensive, with federal scheme, provincial autonomy, and 321 sections.
34. Dyarchy at the Centre was introduced by:
A) Government of India Act, 1919
B) Government of India Act, 1935
C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
D) Indian Independence Act, 1947
Answer: B
Explanation: The 1935 Act proposed dyarchy at Centre (reserved and transferred subjects) but was never implemented.
35. Provincial autonomy was introduced by:
A) 1909 Act
B) 1919 Act
C) 1935 Act
D) 1947 Act
Answer: C
Explanation: Provinces became autonomous units under Government of India Act, 1935.
36. Which Act provided for the establishment of Reserve Bank of India?
A) 1919 Act
B) 1935 Act
C) 1858 Act
D) 1892 Act
Answer: B
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935 created RBI (established in 1935).
37. Which Act created Federal Court in India?
A) 1919 Act
B) 1935 Act
C) 1858 Act
D) Independence Act, 1947
Answer: B
Explanation: Federal Court was established in 1937 under provisions of 1935 Act.
38. Which Act created All-India Federation (never implemented)?
A) 1919 Act
B) 1935 Act
C) 1858 Act
D) 1947 Act
Answer: B
Explanation: 1935 Act proposed Federation of Provinces and States → not implemented due to princes’ refusal.
39. Which Act abolished Council of India in London?
A) 1858 Act
B) 1919 Act
C) 1935 Act
D) 1947 Act
Answer: C
Explanation: The 1935 Act abolished Council of India and instead gave Secretary of State advisors.
40. The Indian Independence Act, 1947 was based on:
A) Cripps Mission
B) Mountbatten Plan
C) Cabinet Mission
D) Simon Commission
Answer: B
Explanation: The Indian Independence Act, 1947 implemented the Mountbatten Plan (3 June Plan).
41. When did India become independent?
A) 14 August 1947
B) 15 August 1947
C) 26 January 1950
D) 22 July 1947
Answer: B
Explanation: Independence was declared on 15 August 1947 by Indian Independence Act.
42. The Indian Independence Act created two dominions:
A) India and Ceylon
B) India and Burma
C) India and Pakistan
D) India and Afghanistan
Answer: C
Explanation: The Act partitioned India into India and Pakistan.
43. Who was the last British Governor-General of India?
A) Lord Wavell
B) Lord Mountbatten
C) Lord Canning
D) Lord Curzon
Answer: B
Explanation: Lord Mountbatten served as the last British Governor-General of India (1947–48).
44. Who became the first Indian Governor-General of free India?
A) C. Rajagopalachari
B) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: A
Explanation: C. Rajagopalachari became the first and only Indian Governor-General (1948–1950).
45. Who became the first Prime Minister of independent India?
A) Sardar Patel
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
D) B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: B
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru was sworn in as first Prime Minister on 15 August 1947.
46. Which Act proclaimed lapse of British paramountcy over princely states?
A) 1919 Act
B) 1935 Act
C) 1947 Act
D) 1858 Act
Answer: C
Explanation: Independence Act (1947) ended paramountcy, leaving states free to join India or Pakistan.
47. Which Act abolished the office of Secretary of State for India?
A) 1919 Act
B) 1935 Act
C) 1947 Act
D) 1858 Act
Answer: C
Explanation: Independence Act (1947) abolished Secretary of State for India.
48. Who chaired the Boundary Commission to demarcate India and Pakistan?
A) Lord Mountbatten
B) Sir Cyril Radcliffe
C) Ramsay MacDonald
D) Stafford Cripps
Answer: B
Explanation: Sir Cyril Radcliffe chaired Boundary Commission (Radcliffe Line).
49. The title “Emperor of India” was dropped by which Act?
A) 1935 Act
B) 1947 Act
C) 1858 Act
D) 1909 Act
Answer: B
Explanation: Independence Act (1947) removed “Emperor of India” from royal titles.
50. The Constituent Assembly of India became fully sovereign after:
A) Cabinet Mission Plan
B) Indian Independence Act, 1947
C) Simon Commission
D) Poona Pact
Answer: B
Explanation: The 1947 Act made the Assembly fully sovereign and legislative. It drafted Constitution and also acted as Parliament till 195